The number of British adults cleaning their teeth with an electric toothbrush has surpassed those using a manual one for the first time, according to the findings of a new nationwide study. New data shows that nearly 12 million people in the UK have switched to an electric toothbrush over the last five years bringing the grand total up to an estimated 34 million people- that’s 67% of adults that now use an electric toothbrush!

As the science behind the advantages of electric toothbrushes mounts, the decision whether to invest in one becomes much easier. The strong and clear evidence is that electric toothbrushes are better for our oral health, as electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing plaque than a manual brush.  This helps keep tooth decay and gum disease at bay.

In addition, as technology has developed, the cost of having an electric toothbrush becomes even more affordable.  Battery-powered toothbrushes are available for as little as £10 but replacing the batteries soon takes the cost (financial and environmental) beyond that of the better rechargeable electric brushes which start at around £40.

Given the advantages of electric toothbrushes, having one is an excellent investment and could really benefit the health of your mouth. Over the last five years we have seen tremendous advances in oral healthcare technology. There are now electric toothbrushes that alert you to areas in the mouth you have missed, or let you know if you are brushing too hard, or not hard enough.  Having this information about your brushing habits allows you to be a more effective brusher, which will in turn give you a healthier mouth.

Other features such as in-build timers, allow users to track two minutes in a more reliable way.  This is especially important for children and has been shown to be an excellent motivator for them.

Whether you currently use an electric toothbrush or not, it is important that are following a good oral health routine, this is the first step to a healthy mouth. This means brushing for two minutes, twice a day, with a fluoride toothpaste.  Brushing should be done last thing at night and at least one other time during the day.  A daily oral health routine would not be complete without cleaning in between your teeth with floss or interdental brushes and using mouthwash-helping to remove plaque from the mouth and keeping your teeth and gums healthy.